Predators weekend update
Published on March 23, 2007 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release
PREDATORS TO PURCHASE RINGS FOR TIGERS
Saying that champions deserve championship rings, Orlando Predators President Brett Bouchy formally announced on Friday that the Orlando Predators would underwrite the cost of championship rings for the South Central Tigers Pop Warner Football Team. The inter-city Tigers made news this past January, when thieves broke into their headquarters and smashed trophies that were intended for their 13-14 year-old football team that completed their 2006 season with a 16-0 record and won the Pop Warner National Championship tournament at Disney's Wide World of Sports. The vandals also destroyed an air-conditioning unit in the building, doing in excess of $2,000 in damage to the building and its contents. In addition to paying for replacement of the trophies and the Predators also donated $1,000 through the Orlando Predators Foundation to help repair the building. Last week, the Predators invited the Tigers to its game with the Austin Wranglers and recognized the team at halftime. When the Predators learned the team was struggling with raising money for championship rings, Bouchy decided to step in. "The Tigers are an incredible story," Bouchy said. "You are talking about an inter-city program that just started a few years ago. Their program lacked the resources and financial support needed to be successful, but they still defied all odds and managed to record a perfect season and win a national championship. Champions deserve championship rings and the Predators are going to make sure that happens." In other Foundation news, the Predators will be sending a donation earmarked for Central Florida tornado relief to the American Red Cross as part of a Dream Seat Ticket Auction that was held just prior to the start of the 2007 season.
EARLY KICKOFF ON MONDAY
The Orlando Predators' game with the Dallas Desperados will kickoff at 7 p.m. Monday, March 26. This is one-half hour earlier than the normal starting time. The change was made to accommodate an ESPN2 national broadcast of the game. ESPN radio personalities Mike Greenburg and Mike Golic of the popular "Mike and Mike" radio show will provide play-by-play and color analysis of the game. Single-game tickets are priced from $19 to $59. The team has also brought back its popular 4 for $44 special for the game. Fans can purchase four tickets and four frosty beverages (beer or soda) for just $44. Call 407-44-PREDS to order the special. The Budweiser FanFest, the free pre-game party for the Orlando Predators begins outside Hummer Field and the Amway Arena at 5 p.m.
MURPHY JOINS THE LIST OF WALKING WOUNDED
Rookie DE Chaz Murphy joined the list of walking wounded this past week when he left the Austin game with a hamstring injury. He was placed on the team's injured reserve list on Wednesday, which means he will not be eligible to play again until the April 20 game with New York. Murphy becomes the third Predators starter to go on injured reserve in the first three weeks of the season - joining Jimmy Fryzel (hamstring) and Jim Sodano (knee). In addition Clif Dell (quad), Charles Lee (hamstring), Delanio Taylor (knee), and Floyd Young (ankle) all opened the season on injured reserve. A fourth starter, lineman Greg White (elbow) remains questionable for Monday's game with the Desperados. Orlando re-signed DE Greg Jefferson to replace Murphy on the roster. Jefferson, a former NFL starter with the Philadelphia Eagles, was a standout at the University of Central Florida. He attended training camp with the Predators but was waived just before the start of the 2007 season.
PREDS ADD EGGLESTON
The Orlando Predators elevated defensive end Christopher Eggleston from its practice squad on Friday. Eggleston is a former "arenafootball2" star who recorded 33 tackles with 9 quarterback sacks, nine forced fumbles, two interceptions with Memphis last season. A five-year veteran of "af2," Eggleston also played with Green Bay, Wilkes-Barre Scranton, Greensboro, Lafayette, Columbus and Birmingham. Eggleston will be eligible to play this weekend.
PREDATORS FEATURED ON FOX
The Orlando Predators Prowler Dance Team, head coach Jay Gruden, and players Shane Stafford and Greg White were featured on the FOX Morning News (Channel 35) with Christine van Blokland on Friday morning. Christine did four live interview segments with the Predators from the Orlando Predators locker room from 6:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Highlights can be seen at:
http://www.myfoxorlando.com/myfox/pages/InsideFox/Detail?contentId=1157438&version=178&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=5.7.1
PHOTOS AVAILABLE ON PREDS WEBSITE
Photo Galleries is the newest feature on www.orlandopredators.com. The web site features action shots from Ron Matay and Don Motague of MVPOrlando.com, the official photographers of the Orlando Predators. Fans may purchase high quality prints of any photo featured by logging on to www.mvporlando.com.
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- Predators weekend update - Orlando Predators
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
